rocky.jpg

Quick! Right Now Before the New Year…

This is it.

Turn on the Rocky theme song, pump up the hip-shaking Latin music, and crank it loud.

This is it.

Grab your coffee beans off the shelf, a filter, and grind up a strong pot. This is it, this is your day.


Who needs to wait until January 1st to start seizing each day fully? Each day is fresh, full, pregnant with potential, and this is it.

Twelve hours of daylight await you, and time is slipping away.

Take a quick shower, grab those jeans you love, and pour a smooth cup of hot coffee.

Forget about whatever failures you feel loom high from the year, the To-Do list with so many familiar items trailing along to each new page.

Today is fresh, new; the snow is untouched, and waiting for you. Grab today, pump the music high, and dig in.

What’s one thing you want to tackle today while it is still 2013? What’s one thing you want to jump full into today? 

This is it. Bring your coffee, turn the music loud, and dive in.

(I’d love to cheer you on, friend. What are you jumping in today with me? I have some writing and speaking projects I’m working on. Those in email can join the conversation here.)

Photo: Artist John Bramley, Rocky Balboa at The Washington Post.

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14 Comments

  1. Pam on December 31, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    I've been allowing myself just to be lazy these last few days whenever possible… reading for pleasure. But today I am hearing Him put "prayer" on my heart. Prayer as the old year runs to a close and the new begins… Love your thoughts here too… Blessings to whatever you are doing!

  2. Brian Miller on December 31, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    ha. i am with you…why wait for the new year or any one day when you have today to take advantage of…even still i hope you and yours have a most wonderful new year…

  3. Jayne on January 1, 2014 at 6:25 am

    This year I want to grow closer to God by deliberately being more obedient. Reading His word is great, but not if that is all I do. I also want to learn what it takes to make my blog successful and work harder at it.

  4. Floyd on January 1, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Well I didn't read this until the new year has dawned on us, but it's a great encouragement and way to start a new year! Happy New Year! I got the music playing and the coffee brewing…

  5. Alecia Simersky on January 1, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    Exactly! Jan 1st is just another day on the calendar. We should be living our best life each day instead of waiting to start over on new year's day. I hope 2014 is good to you, friend!

  6. bluecottonmemory on January 1, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    I wanted to sit with some wild apple ginger tea, knit a few rows, catch up with blogs and posts which is difficult to do in the workday of the non-holiday daily:) – and I did. Am filled with hope that God will make some much needed changes – or change my view of what is needed! Wishing you blessing in the new year – glad I got to stop by!

  7. Jennifer Dougan on January 2, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    Ah, Pam, those lazy moments, and times to sneak away to read are so refreshing, aren't they?

    And hearing Him whisper prayer… good idea. May you sense his heart and will for you today. (May I too.)

    Smiling,
    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

  8. Jennifer Dougan on January 2, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    Brian,

    Taking advantage of today– each day. Yes.

    Thank you.

    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

  9. Jennifer Dougan on January 2, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    Yes, Jayne,

    I'm working at that too. I'd love to learn from you as well. Pass on any good tips.

    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

  10. Jennifer Dougan on January 2, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    Music playing and coffee brewing. Sounds perfect, Floyd.

    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

  11. Jennifer Dougan on January 2, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Thanks, Alecia. To you as well. 🙂

    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

  12. Jennifer Dougan on January 2, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    BlueCottonmemory,

    Wild apple ginger tea sounds delicious. I have never heard of that before. Glad your time knitting, sipping, and reading was rejuvenating. When does work start up for you again?

    Have a great week,
    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

  13. cabinart on January 4, 2014 at 5:30 am

    I was trying to decide if you were fixing to do some aerobics or go jogging! Then you said you had writing and speaking projects, so I pictured you trying to write with all that caffeine flowing, maybe jiggling your knee the whole time. 😎

    I finished the last drawing for my book on December 31. Immediately I started painting the exterior of our giant garage/workshop building because our weather is so mild right now that it would be a shame to waste the opportunity.

  14. Jennifer Dougan on January 4, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Jana,

    The jogging should start up again, but I can't bring myself to run in frigid MN winter temps. They are actually closing schools this Monday due to temps. Phew.

    Writing, organizing speaking files, and sipping more coffee… yes, there was some frenzied dancing and bouncing at times too. 🙂

    Congratulations on getting your deadline for the book. You did it!

    What's the garage mural look like so far?

    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

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